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Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Google Unveils Re-Imagined Version of Its Free Earth Mapping Service

Google has
launched a re-imagined version of its free Earth mapping service, weaving in
storytelling and artificial intelligence and freeing it from apps.

“This
is our gift to the world,” Google Earth director Rebecca Moore said while
giving AFP an early look at the new version of the programme that lets people
range the planet from the comfort of their computers, smartphones or tablets.

“It’s a
product that speaks to our deepest values around education and making
information available to people.”

A new
‘Voyager’ feature enables people digitally exploring the planet to be guided on
interactive stories told by experts, boasting partners including BBC Earth,
NASA, Sesame Street, and the Jane Goodall Institute.

Google
artificial intelligence will be put to work for Earth users in the form of
“knowledge cards” that let them dive deeper into online information about
mountains, countries, landmarks or other places being virtually visited.

It will
also make suggestions on other locations armchair explorers might be interested
in exploring based on what they have searched in the past.

“This
is the first time we have done this deep integration with the Google Knowledge
Graph,” Earth engineering manager Sean Askay said.

“Everything
Google knows about the world, you can know about the world.”

There
is also a newly installed “Feeling Lucky?” feature for people who want to let
the software suggest hidden gems such as Pemba Island off the Swahili coast or
the Oodaira Hot Spring in Yamagata, Japan.

People
can choose to fly around the world in Earth, using a 3—D button to see the
Grand Canyon, Chateau Loire Valley and other stunning spots from any angles
they wish.

“With
the new Earth, we want to open up different lenses for you to see the world and
learn a bit about how it all fits together; to open your mind with new stories
while giving you a new perspective on the locations and experiences you
cherish,” Earth product manager Gopal Shah said in a blog post.

Online
explorers cruising the mobile version of Earth can also capture pictures on
their travels, sending friends digital postcards.

New
Earth was launched on Google’s Chrome and Android software, with versions
tailored for Apple devices and other internet browsing software promised soon.

It’s
the first time that Earth can be reached on a web browser instead of through
applications installed on devices.

The
move allows Google to tap into more powerful computing power at data centers in
the internet “cloud” instead of relying on the capabilities of smartphones and
other devices.